Improved apparatus for making charcoal



K. S. CHAFFEE.

Charcoal Kiln.

Patented July 24, 1866.

Inventor.

fiamatcwa Witnesses: 9 4% lg Zzlrmmay AM. PHOTD-LITHQCQNX. [OSBORNE'S PROCESS.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

K. S. GHAFFEE, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHARCOAL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,528, dated July 24, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KNOWLTON S. OHAFFEE,

of East Cambridge, in the county of Middle from the smoke and volatile products resulting from a charge when in combustion within such kiln. I

I am aware that for obtaining pyroligneous acid it has been customary to put wood into a close retort having a furnace whose fire acted on the exterior of the retort, the vapors pro duced within the retort being condensed by a condensing apparatus connected with it.

My invention has reference to the process of making charcoal in a kiln in which the wood is on fire or more or less in a state of 001m bustion. I collect the resulting smoke and vapors and condense them by an apparatus or pipe or pipes applied directly to (so as to encompass) the entire kiln. Thus, instead of allowing such smoke and vapors to escape into the atmosphere and be lost for all useful purposes, I collect the said vapors and condense them, whereby they may be utilized to great advantage in various ways.

With my invention the fire which chars the wood sets free the acid-vapors, whereas with the ordinary mode of making pyroligneous acid bya close retort a separate furnace and charge of fuel therefor become necessary. Thus, while I make the charcoal and procure the acid, I avoid the expenditure of fuel necessary to the heating of the retort. I also gain other important advantages.

In the drawings, A denotes an ordinary kiln for making charcoal. B is the acid-eondenser applied to it. This said condenser, as represented, consists of a hollow annulus or tube encircling the kiln, and provided with a series of branch tubes, at a a, to open out of it and to enter and open into the charge-chamber of the kiln.

The condensing-pipe has a discharging-outlet at its extremity b. In some cases the pipe may be extended and coiled in a serpentine or helical form and be placed within a refrigerating or cooling cistern to hold water, for the purpose of promoting the condensation of the acid-vapors which may enter the pipe from the charge-chamber of the kiln.

In using the kiln for the purpose of making charcoal, we are to proceed in the ordinary manner; but instead of permitting the smoke and acid vapors to pass off and escape into the atmosphere and be lost they are to be caused to flow into and through the condenser, in and by which the acid-vapors will be condensed, and from which they will flow and may be caught in a suitable tank or vessel.

I do not confine my invention to making charcoal and pyroligneous acid in a kiln, and

with a condenser arranged outside of the kiln and supported by the ground about such kiln the same as being represented in the kilns of La Chabeaussieres and Schwartz, as described in Ures Dictionary of Arts and in Muspratts Chemistry.

In myimprovement the condenser is a simple coil of pipe going around the entire kiln, and being supported by branch pipes leading from it into the kiln.

I therefore claim- 1. The application of the condenser to the kiln by extending such condenser, as a pipe, around the kiln and supporting it by means of series of branch pipes leading from it into the kiln, andcombining with such condenser a discharge-pipe, b, to extend from it, as set forth.

2. The above-described arrangement of the condenser with respect to the kiln viz., so as to encompass it and connect with itsubstantially as described.

KNOWLTON S. OHAFFEE.

Witnesses R. H. EDDY, FREDERIGK CURTIS. 

